Enzo Barrenechea back in Benfica starting line-up for Europa League qualifier against Heart of Midlothian | OneFootball

Enzo Barrenechea has reclaimed a starting spot at Benfica and will begin Thursday’s Europa League third qualifying round first leg against Heart of Midlothian at Estádio da Luz, kick-off 21:00.

Superdeporte reports that he began the previous round on the bench in a 2-1 first-leg defeat to St. Gallen, as Marco Silva selected 18-year-old academy midfielder Miguel Figueiredo, before Barrenechea entered on 66 minutes.

The return leg told a different story. Restored to the XI, he played all 90 minutes in a 5-0 win that overturned the tie and sealed progress to the final qualifying round.

That display has carried weight and the coach will again trust him for the next European assignment, a key tie to move Benfica closer to the Europa League group stage.

The Argentinian, formerly of Valencia, has recovered his prominence after an uncertain start to the season and aims to consolidate his place in the Lisbon club’s plans.

Source: Superdeporte

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”